Beaches

If you've been on the coasts of Florida in the last couple of weeks, you've probably seen bunches of brown seaweed washing up on the shore.

A lot of opposition remains for emergency plans to renourish parts of Pinellas County's storm-flattened beaches. County commissioners are running into roadblocks from some beachfront property owners.

Gov. Ron DeSantis' signature undid a 2018 law requiring local governments to go through a judicial process before they can designate "dry sand" beach areas as publicly accessible.

Even seemingly tranquil water can pose unseen risks due to dangerous currents or water too shallow for diving. Sometimes, hours after leaving the water.

Under the new ordinance, first-time offenders will be fined $100. There's a $200 fine for a second offense and a $300 fine for additional violations.

Each individual patch of sargassum may only cover a small area. This means a particular beach could see a significant amount of algae, while an adjacent beach would not.

Scientists at the University of South Florida Optical Oceanography Lab are predicting what could be the state's worst seaweed season.

Northwest Florida lawmakers have said the 2018 law created fierce battles in Walton County between waterfront property owners and other people seeking to use beaches.

Lawmakers have moved forward with a repeal after widespread complaints about waterfront property owners in Walton County preventing people from using beaches.

Audubon of Florida and state wildlife officials remind beach-goers to stay away from nests, and keep dogs on leashes near or along the shoreline.

Some beaches in South Florida closed Saturday when the tar balls washed ashore. Those beaches have since reopened.

Doctors say there’s no need in most cases to wait. That old warning stems from worry that people might drown or struggle because blood will be diverted to their full stomachs instead of their muscles.